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Congress revives minimum wage hike bills
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Posted on May 31 2005
Two bills that seek to increase the minimum wage in the United States, including the Northern Marianas, have been introduced in both houses of the U.S. Congress.
The bills were introduced last May 18 (Washington time) on the same day when Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio delivered their State of the Commonwealth address and Washington Office report on Saipan.
Rep. George Miller introduced HR 2429, also known as the proposed Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2005. Some 101 other lawmakers co-sponsored the measure at the Lower House.
At the U.S. Senate, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy introduced S. 1062, which was co-sponsored by 31 other lawmakers.
The legislative measures seek to peg the minimum wage at $5.85 per hour beginning on the 60th day after the date of their enactment into law; then $6.55 an hour beginning a year later; and $7.25 an hour, two years later.
They provide for applicability in the Northern Marianas and would initially set the CNMI’s minimum wage at $3.55 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after their enactment into law. They propose an increase of 50 cents to the minimum wage beginning six months after the enactment of the law and every six months thereafter until the CNMI’s minimum wage equal that of the United States.
